NO RELIGIOUS QUARREL

Evening Star, Issue 22070, 2 July 1935, Page 13

NO RELIGIOUS QUARREL

RESIGNATION OF REV. H. K. ARCHDAU. CHRISTCHURCH IMPLICATIONS REFUTED fPK* United Press Association. 1 AUCKLAND, July 1. Tho citing of the resignation of the (lev. H. K. Archdall from the headmastership of King’s College by Canon Charles Perry, of Christchurch, in a sermon on Sunday on religious hberty was the subject of comment by both Mr Archdall and Archbishop Avenll. Canon Perry’s contention was that Mr Archdall had been asked for his resig-, riation because' he was an AngloCatholic. . . . . . - ~ Discussing the position, Mr Archdall said that Canon Perry’s sermon compelled him to break his self-imposed silence on the whole subject of his resignation. “ Canon Perry has neither a knowledge of the facts nor authority from ■ me to warrant the statement he made, Mr Archdall said. “My resignation was in no way caused by anything to do with the religion of the college, and still less with the parties, in the Church of England. I have never myself been a party man. Generally speaking ‘ labels are libels,’ and I for one refuse to. accept the aiitithesis i Canon Perry sets up between Catholicism and evangelicalism. If this were, true, ( any attempt at the reunion of Christendom would bo so much, waste of time.” _ Archbishop Ayerill said that the views expressed in Canon Perry’s sermon were diardly worth consideration. The whole argument was absurd, and it, was the first that ho had heard of any. suggested difference over religious matters.

[Canon Perry, criticising the attitude iof the Auckland diocese towards the Rev. H. K. Archdall, who has resigned from the headmnstership of King’s College, Auckland, said (inter alia):— “ Within the border of the Anglican communion this, policy of religious 'liberty is not yet adopted in some dioceses. It is well' known •that, . there, are twq schools of thought amongst Anglicans, the evangelical and the. Anglo-Catholic. Both have a histpry and a tradition,, noble and honourable, but they differ m their interpretation of the Prayer Book. A wise and enlightened policy is to give them both a fair field and no favour.. It is not an impossible policy. Of late years it has been pursued, lor example, in the diocese of Christchurch, where such parishes as Addington, Avqriside, Brighton,,, Linwood, Menvale, and Spreydon have been allowed to develop, some slowly, some not so slowly, in an Anglo-Catholic direction; while other parishes, also without, hindrance,, have .been permitted to adhere to, their traditional evangelicalism. But there are dioceses where this policy has not been adopted, and Anglo-Catholics have, been oppressed; Such a diocese is Auckland, where, instance after instance of religious persecution has occurred. Every 16yal churchman, of whatever diocese, is interested in the welfare of tho whole church of New Zealand, and up and’ down tho country many Anglicans are disturbed-at the appearance. in tho papers of announcements that the Rev. H. K. Archdall, bead master of-King’s College, Auckland, is leaving for England: in aMew days. He is a Fellow of his college in Cambridge. He has done extraordinarily valuable work for the church. There are few among the clergy who can compare with him for ability or accomplishment. But he is an Anglo-Catholic. After all the benefits he has brought to_ the church have been accepted his services are no longer required. Tho Auckland diocese is becoming notorious!. All who love the Church of England should work and pray for the spread of religious liberty in her midst. Religious persecution has caused the church more shame in the past than ariythirig else. It is possible to abolish it everywhere and allow persuasion to have free play in every diocese.”]